Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1887-06-29
THE WRITER OF BOOKS.
SOME OF THE TRIALS TO WHICH AN
AUTHOR Is EXPOSED.


There Is one vexation that the writer
of books undergoes that has not been
elucidated, namely, the requests he re-
ceives from friends for q copy OF
his work; and not only from friends,
but from charitable institutions seeking
to enlarge their libraries, or from institu-
tions DESTROYS Of founding libraries. 1t is
a common belief that an author is en-
titled to as many copies of his work as he
sees fit to ask the publisher for. While
flattering to the authors vanity to be
thus in demand, the requests received
even by authors of little renown, if hon
ored, will often deprive him of all his
profits from the copyright, for, beyond a
stipulated number of copies given to him
by the publisher, he has to pay the trade
price for all other copies of his work.
Generally inexperienced or unthinking
authors "give away with these presenta-
ton books all their profits, unless, indeed,
a work reaches several editions.
At a round table gathering of authors,
all of more or less prominence and popu-
larity, in the Authors club the other
night, the general complaint was the
nuisance of appeals for presentation copies
from strangers and institutions not of the
ted that it was IN infection to their van
ity to refuse or ignore many of these re-
quests, while regretting the fact that COM
pliance would entail pecuniary loss. The
dramatic author, if he has the privilege
from the management, may give passes to
the theatre which is playing his produc-
ton without entailing direct loss to either
the manager or himself if there is not q
large popular demand of the seats, but
the publisher of book regards each vol
ume as worth so much for old paper,
and is not disposed to part with one with
out the quid pro quo, as even selling for
junk adds just so much to the profits, and
there is always sale for old paper.
Each publishing house has form of
contract peculiar to itself in its style and
phraseology, but the conditions are gen
orally the same in this country. In Eng
land it is not uncommon for authors and
publishers to bring out the works Of the
former on shares, equally dividing the
profits and expenses, but in this country
it is the rule that the publishers issue the
work at their own risk and expense, pay
ing the author a royalty on conditions
named. The chief difference in the con-
tracts of the publishers in this country Is
that the authors shall assign them the
right to take out the copyright, or that
the author himself shall hold it. In either
case there is stipulation to the effect that
il at the expiration of a certain period,
generally two years or five years, the pub
fishers do not find the publication of the
work profitable, they can discontinue, de-
stroy the plates and sell the books on
hand at auction or for old paper, giving
the author the option of buying both at
cost price or for deduction of from 10 to
90 per cent, the copyright being assigned
to him or restored to him.
In both countries stipulated number
Of copies are given to the author; any
more he can obtain under contract at the
trade or retail price. This number varies
from six to twelve copies, on which it is
stipulated no royalty is to be paid, as also
on the number distributed by the pub
Usher in his discretion to the critics for
review. In some cases the publisher re-
serves the right to exempt from royalty
copies sent as samples to schools and in
situations which might need the work.
Statements are made to the author semi
annually and the amount due him paid
four months thereafter, and then If he
has been liberal in complying with the re-
quests from friends and institutions, he
finds to his dismay that the credit bal
ances the debit account and there Is moth
ing coming to him, or mayhap that he is
in debt to the publisher beyond the six or
twelve copies allowed him.
Adding the deduction in his royalty on
the work, if sold, and its cost to him to
the mail expenses, the liberal or consid-
crate author can consume the percentage
coming to him from the publisher by COM
plying with these requests. The account
he receives is very explicit, and is divided
into statements of books on hand at the
last statement, books printed since the
last statement, volumes given away or
sold not subject to royalty and the bal
ance on hand. Then follows statement
of the account with the author of books
sold subject to royalty, sold subject to re-
duced royalty and sold to author. Every
copy Of the edition is accounted for, like
the seats in q theatre when u return is
made to the star. Editions, it may be
stated, vary. Formerly an edition was
reckoned at 1000 copies. Many publish
ers issue 2, 500 as an edition, although the
edition really consists of the number of
copies consecutively printed, and may
run as high as 10, 900. The authors roy
atty averages 10 per cent. on the retail
price.
interest the reader provide that the cost
of alterations in the type or plates after
the delivery of the manuscript above $50
are charged to the author if made by him;
that no insurance on the work shall be
effected on joint account that if the plates
or forms shall be rendered valueless by
fire or otherwise the publisher has the OPP
ton to reproduce them or surrender the
copyright; that no royalty is to be paid on
volumes destroyed by fire or water; that
the author must share with the publisher
the expenses of any suit he may bring for
infringement of copyright and as well re-
ceive an equal share of the profits arising
therefrom; that the author or the heirs
agree to renewals of the copyright under
the same terms In charging to the au-
thor alterations in the type or plates
above $50 expenditure the publisher often
saves himself from considerable expense,
as many authors are inclined to COM
pletely rewrite their proof.
The main point in the publishers agree
ment with the author in this country is
that he shall publish the work at his own
risk and expense, and compel him to share
his loss il there is any. 1t is needless to
add that the publisher never "gives
away any copies that will cost him any
thing in his accounting with the author.
Usually works of travel or biography
have a steady, if limited, permanent de-
mand, while novels flourish for season,
and those unsold find their way to the
junk shop. The plates are never de-
stroyed as long as there is prospect Of a
demand for the work. When the demand
ceases the plates are melted for recasting,
and frequently demand springing up
reset.-New York Times.
1t is thought that York state will derive
e200, 1000 this year from the celebrated in
hsritance tax.